Seven of the best beards you’ll ever see – at the International German Beard Championships

Bundesliga clubs may be flying high in the Champions League this year, but in Germany attention has turned to the contest that really matters – the International German Beard Championships. Around 100 competitors laid claim to the best tache and beard combo in 18 different categories in the town of Pforzheim. Here are seven of the best.

7 Hans-Peter Weis, the reigning champion in the full beard freestyle category. And you can see why.

(Picture: EPA)

6 ‘It would be great to make it to the podium today,’ said one participant. ‘But my rivals never rest, they are getting bigger and stronger.’

(Picture: EPA)

5 Erwin Butsch: Unsurprisingly a competitor in the musketeer category. One of the most competitive categories, that one.

(Picture: EPA)

4 Franz Schani Mitterhauser: Whiskers freestyle-style!

(Picture: EPA)

3 Here’s Hans-Peter Weis again, still lording over everyone else.

(Picture: AFP/Getty)

2 Gerhard Knapp wasn’t even taking part in the competition, he just normally looks like this (probably).

(Picture: AFP/Getty)

1 Dieter Besuch ran rings around the competition. Get it? Please say you get it…